Water distributor

Abstract

A water distributor provides a uniform supply of water to an evaporative panel held in a frame of an evaporative apparatus. The water distributor includes a base having a plurality of flow channels, each of the flow channels having an inlet port for receiving water from a source, an outlet port for delivering water to the evaporative panel and a tortuous path connecting the inlet port with the outlet port for providing high flow resistance so as to facilitate the consistent and even flow of water through each of the outlet ports. The volumetric flow velocity of the water is controlled within a desired range at normal water supply pressures.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A water distributor for providing a uniform supply of water at a desired flow rate to an evaporative panel held in a frame of an evaporative apparatus, the water distributor comprising: 
       a base having a plurality of flow channels, each of the flow channels including an inlet port for receiving water from a source, an outlet port for delivering water to the evaporative panel, and a tortuous path connecting the inlet port with the outlet port for providing high flow resistance so as to facilitate the consistent and even flow of water at a desired flow rate through each of the outlet ports.  
     
     
       2. The water distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the base is comprised of an elongated planar manifold and an elongated planar cover connected thereto. 
     
     
       3. The water distributor of  claim 1 , including a water inlet in communication with the water source and a header structure in communication with the water inlet and each of the inlet ports. 
     
     
       4. The water distributor of  claim 1 , wherein each flow channel is configured in the shape of a square wave. 
     
     
       5. The water distributor of  claim 1 , wherein each flow channel is in the shape of a star-shaped wave. 
     
     
       6. The water distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the base is attached to the evaporative apparatus such that the outlet ports are positioned over the evaporative panel. 
     
     
       7. The water distributor of  claim 3 , including a solenoid valve interconnected with a water inlet fitting and the water inlet. 
     
     
       8. The water distributor of  claim 6 , wherein the base is attached to bosses depending from the evaporative apparatus. 
     
     
       9. The water distributor of  claim 6 , wherein the base has tabs formed thereon and the frame is formed with slots for receiving the tabs such that the base is supported from the frame. 
     
     
       10. The water distributor of  claim 3 , wherein the base is provided with a tubular inlet extending from the water inlet. 
     
     
       11. The water distributor of  claim 3 , wherein a solenoid valve and water inlet assembly are attached directly to the base in communication with the water inlet. 
     
     
       12. The water distributor of  claim 7 , wherein the base is provided with a filter and includes sealing means positioned between the water inlet and the water inlet fitting. 
     
     
       13. A water distributor adapted to feed water uniformly at a controlled flow rate to an evaporative panel located therebelow comprising: 
       a manifold having a length, a width, and a thickness and including a water inlet, header structure in communication with the water inlet and extending along the length of the manifold, and an array of flow channels, each of the flow channels having an inlet port connected with the header, an outlet port for delivering water to the evaporative panel and a tortuous path interconnecting the inlet port and the outlet port,  
       whereby water is supplied to the water inlet, the header structure and each of the inlet ports, flows with high resistance through each of the tortuous paths, and is delivered with a consistent and even flow at a desired flow rate to each of the outlet ports for deposition on the evaporative panel.  
     
     
       14. The water distributor of  claim 13 , wherein the manifold formed of a plastic material. 
     
     
       15. The water distributor of  claim 13 , wherein the array of flow channels is a group of six flow channels. 
     
     
       16. The water distributor of  claim 13 , wherein the array of flow channels is aligned in parallel. 
     
     
       17. The water distributor of  claim 13 , wherein the array of flow channels is arranged in alternating fashion with some of the flow channels on one side of a longitudinal axis and the other of the flow channels on the opposite side of the longitudinal axis, each of the outlet ports extending vertically through the thickness of the manifold. 
     
     
       18. The water distributor of  claim 13 , wherein each of the outlet ports is located along a side edge of the manifold. 
     
     
       19. The water distributor of  claim 13 , including an orifice upstream of the water inlet. 
     
     
       20. The water distributor of  claim 13 , including throttle resistor structure having a tortuous path construction interconnecting the water inlet with the header structure. 
     
     
       21. The water distributor of  claim 13 , wherein the manifold is integrally formed with a solenoid valve body receiving a stack of solenoid components retained together to form an assembly. 
     
     
       22. The water distributor of  claim 15 , wherein the flow channels are in the form of a square wave. 
     
     
       23. The water distributor of  claim 15 , wherein the flow channels are in the form of a star-shaped wave.